Horse movies

6.09.2009

PlotIn one of their most genial comedies -- based on a Damon Runyon story -- Bud Abbott and Lou Costello have to help one friend (Cecil Kellaway) replace his beloved carriage horse, and another friend (Leightno Noble) put together a US Army camp show. Through a misunderstanding, they take what they think is a worthless nag from a racetrack stall, only to discover that they've actually stolen "Tea Biscuit," the world's greatest racehorse. Not only are the authorities after the pair -- who try to hide the horse in their hotel room -- but so is freelance trouble-shooter Eugene Pallette (who already has had one unrelated run-in with the boys), and complicating matters even further are three racetrack touts (led by Shemp Howard) who want to cash in on the mistake. Grace McDonald and Patsy O'Connor), along with bandleader Noble and the Step Brothers, provide the music and dancing in this wild romp, that takes us from New York's Central Park to the racetrack at Saratoga. Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide

PlotWhen a traveling Wild West show comes to town, the natives are frightened by a one-foot-tall horse that is believed to be a bad omen. The superstitious natives try to return the horse to The Valley of Gwangi to avert disaster. Tuck and T.J. try to help archaeologist Bromley find the tiny equine in the valley, but they unleash a prehistoric giant monster in the process in this implausible adventure feature. Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

PlotThe Phantom Horse travelled under the title Mabaroshi Nouma when it was first released in Japan. The protagonist is a young boy from a poor family, whose best friend is his horse. In the climax, the horse wins a local derby, providing financial security for the boy and his household. Strange that so much critical approval was bestowed upon this film at a time when no Hollywood producer would try to get away with so bromidic a plotline. Stranger still, the well-photographed but exceedingly derivative Phantom Horse was one of Japan's entries in the 1956 Cannes Film Festival. Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

PlotSonny Steele used to be a rodeo star, but his next appearance is to be on a Las Vegas stage, wearing a suit covered in lights, advertising a breakfast cereal. When he finds out they are going drug the horse in case its too frisky, he rides off into the desert... Written by Colin Tinto for imdb.

PlotThis Czechoslovakian children's film takes place during the last days of the Austro-Hungarian empire. There is nothing the young son of the Imperial horse-trainer loves more than riding his own horse. Then he is stricken by polio, then hospitalization and operations follow. Still, for the time he is lucky, for he can get around for short distances on crutches, though he usually uses a wheelchair. With the help of his friends, he is able to ride his horse again, and his joy knows no bounds. Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide